Screenwriting & Cinematography Lab Chats Announced

Over the last couple of months we’ve run a series of live online lectures for our students. We’re happy to announce that we have integrated these lab chats into our full time curriculum. Lab chats are 2 hours long and are available to our students during evenings and weekends. There are no additional costs for our students to partake in these lab chat sessions. Currently we are offering 1 lab chat each week. Monthly Lab Chats we currently have scheduled are:

1. Writing for Small-Budget Productions

While some of us may dream of penning the next Hollywood blockbuster, the truth of the matter is that most of us will get our first break on a much smaller scale.  Learning the craft of writing for a manageable production budget is essential for every screenwriter – whether you are trying to sell your scripts to Hollywood or plan on producing them independently.  In this session, we’ll delve deeper into the choices you must make in areas such as location, actors, special effects, and more when you are writing a script on a tight budget.  We’ll discuss how to maintain a high level of creativity without requiring 50 million dollars worth of explosions and car chases.  We’ll focus on writing character-driven stories, which are the hallmark of independent film, while also discussing examples and asking questions.  For more information on this session please send an e-mail to phil@lightsfilmschool.com.

2. Lighting- Where do I begin?

When the cinematographer arrives on the set, he or she orders the crew to place the lights on certain areas of the set. But which light does the cinematographer positions first? Where exactly in the set does he/she put the lights? What are the steps or procedure that the cinematographer observes when he or she begins lighting? The objective of this session is to discuss the relationship between the director, the production designer and the cinematographer. We will also discuss the difference between motivational lighting and glamor lighting, which basically sets the pace on where the cinematographer begins. A sample scene from a script would be sent to participants prior to the session. We will dissect the scene as cinematographers and the directors and discuss how to approach it cinematographically. The video of this demonstration would be sent to the students prior to the  lab chat.

3. Writing Tension: A Close Look at ‘Munich’

Few films capture the essence of tension as well as Steven Spielberg’s Munich.  This film ratchets up the suspense from the first frame and continues to do so throughout the duration of the film, pausing only briefly to allow the audience a few moments of introspection.  In this session, we’ll discuss this film in depth, paying specific attention to the writer’s role in orchestrating the film’s tension.  Prior to the session, it would be helpful if participants read excerpts of the script (sent via e-mail upon registration) and watched the film.  We will look at how tension and suspense influence everything in this film, from the characters, to the setting, to the political and emotional climate.  Bring your questions and comments.  For more information on this session please send an e-mail to phil@lightsfilmschool.com.

4. Camera Movement to Compliment your Story

One trait great film directors have is their intricate camera movement. It is a mistake however, to put a camera movement in a shot unnecessarily. Camera movement should always compliment your story. This session will tackle all kinds of camera movement and their purpose and when to use them.  A basic camera set-up with a dolly and a jib will be on hand for a demonstration. The video of this demonstration would be sent to the students prior to the lab chat.

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